What is Exactly the Permanent Press Cycle? How to Use It?

Learn how to use this little-known laundry appliance setting to eliminate creases in clothing, accessories, and linens.

You’ve probably seen the “Permanent Press” label on a wide range of clothes, as well as on your washer and dryer. But what does it actually mean? Can you use these settings for all settings for washing and drying clothes using the permanent press cycles?

In order to wash your clothes with the least amount of creasing, use the permanent press setting. Unsurprisingly, it functions best with garments marked “permanent press.” This is accomplished by your washer’s slow spin cycle and warm water.

If you’re interested in learning more about the advantages of permanent press, our guide can teach you about them.

Further Reading: When to Add Fabric Softener to Your Laundry?

What is the Permanent Press Cycle?

Permanently pressed originally referred to clothing that had undergone chemical treatment to better withstand wrinkling and folds. Washers and dryers had started to come with a special cycle for these kinds of clothes as a result of the technique’s increase in popularity during the 1950s.

In modern washers and dryers, the permanent press cycle is a standard feature. It’s a great way to safeguard clothing that is prone to wrinkles, color fading, shrinking, and stretching.

What is the Permanent Press Cycle on My Washer?

A permanent press washing machine cycle uses a mixture of warm water during the wash and cold water during the rinse. It is also referred to as the casual or wrinkle control cycle. Compared to a regular or heavy-duty wash cycle, a permanent press cycle typically lasts 30 minutes on average and agitates more gently.

In addition, the final spin cycle is slower, which aids in preventing the weight of the damp clothing from pressing against one another and substantially lowering the likelihood of wrinkles.

What is the Permanent Press Cycle on My Dryer?

The chance of wrinkles forming and setting in is decreased by the permanent press dryer cycle’s use of medium heat, which is kinder to clothing.

Since clothes that are dried at high temperatures and then folded tend to retain creasing, some permanent press dryer cycles may include a cool-down period, depending on the brand and model. This helps to gradually transition clothes from a warm temperature to a cool temperature.

The likelihood of clothing shrinking is also decreased by the gradual change from warm to cool.

How Should You Use a Permanent Press Cycle?

Sort your clothing according to the fabric, color, and recommended care. In your washing machine, add your preferred detergent and your permanent press garments. After choosing the permanent press option, remove your clothing as soon as the cycle is finished.

When clothes are left in the washer for too long between washing and drying cycles, the damp environment causes them to compress, which is ideal for creating wrinkles.

After the wash cycle is finished, put your clothing in the dryer, and once more choose the permanent press cycle. Double-check the labels – if your items are “non-wrinkle,” remove them from the dryer while they are still damp, and hang them up to air dry.

The dryer can be used to dry permanent press garments for the duration of the cycle. When finished, take off your clothes and hang them right away. As a result, they won’t wrinkle as easily.

What Clothes Should I Put in a Permanent Press Cycle?

The majority of synthetic, semi-synthetic, or blended garments should be placed in the permanent press cycle. Additionally, garments made of natural fibers that wrinkle easily, like button-down shirts or pants, ought to be washed on a permanent press as well.

Permanent press shirts (and other clothes) are those that have been treated with a special finish to help keep them wrinkle-free and are typically labeled “wrinkle-free” or “wash-and-wear.”

Because ironing out ingrained wrinkles can harm the fabric, permanent press clothing should always be washed using the permanent press cycle.

Is the Permanent Press Cycle for Delicates?

No, even though the permanent press cycle is kinder to certain types of clothing than the standard cycle and is best for them, delicate clothing should always be washed on the delicate cycle.

The lifespan of your wardrobe will be significantly extended if you read all of the labels and properly group your laundry loads into groups that correspond to your washer settings. This will ensure that you always look your best. The temperature must also be taken into account.

Read More: How to Wash, Dry, and Store a Wool Blanket?

What Are the Benefits of Using a Permanent Press?

Generally speaking, using the permanent press cycle on your washer or dryer aids in preventing wrinkling on delicate clothing that may happen during wash cycles.

Benefits of a permanent press wash cycle:

• A warm wash temperature helps to keep your clothes from fading
• The slower spin cycle helps prevent new wrinkles from forming
• The cold-water rinse is cost-efficient
• The quick washing time helps reduce pilling on clothes

Benefits of a permanent press dry cycle:

• Drying with warm air is less harmful to clothes than hot air
• Less chance of clothes shrinking
• Permanent drying cycles with cool down function do not run hot air during the last phase, reducing cost and increasing energy efficiency

How to Choose the Right Laundry Cycle?

After navigating the world of washer temperatures, you’ll need to decide which cycle to use, such as heavy-duty, permanent press, hand wash, or delicate. Real Simple provides a breakdown of some of the more common settings you’ll find and when to use them:

• Quick Wash: A quick cycle for a few lightly stained items, like the blouse and pants you want to wear to dinner tonight. A faster spin also means that clothes will dry more quickly.
• Pre-Wash: Extra-dirty or stained clothing? Take advantage of this to start a cycle with a soak. Detergent should be distributed among the pre-wash and detergent dispensers.
• Permanent Press: The finish on wrinkle-free items will be preserved while dress shirt and pant wrinkles are reduced. A slow spin helps prevent new ones from forming while warm or hot wash water relaxes creases.
• Heavy Duty: Muddy play clothes and other sturdy, heavily soiled items work well in this cycle, which combines a long, warm or hot wash with fast tumbling to scrub out dirt.
• Delicate: a swift, cold wash followed by gentle tumbling and spinning. Use it for lingerie, sweaters, and other items that call for a delicate touch.
• Hand Wash: Designed to mimic the way clothes are washed in the sink, with periods of gentle tumbling and soaking in cold water, this is for garments labeled “hand-wash.”
• Extra Rinse: adds a final rinse to a cycle to make sure all the dirt, dust, and detergent are removed. a sensible choice for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin in the family.
• Rinse and Spin: Bathing suits and beach towels can be quickly rinsed and dried without the use of detergent.

Conclusion: Happy Laundry!

The Permanent Press is ideal for washing and drying synthetic-fibered clothing, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, or knitwear; permanent press (no-iron) fabric; or fabric made with a blend of synthetic and natural fibers.

Just keep in mind that using hot water can make your clothes shrink and that using cold water won’t always remove stubborn stains. Warm is the ideal temperature, but you should still separate your clothing to keep the colors from blending.

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